Project Contractors/Project Client
Vera Industrial/Interfor
Project Details
Trim blasts and rope access works to remove loose surface material for rock stabilization efforts – located Bute Inlet, BC – completed August 2018
Scope of the Project
- Drilling and scaling
- Rope access works
- Trim blasting
- Controlled blasting techniques using Nxburst
- Rock stabilization
Nxburst Rock Breaking Cartridges were used to blast loose material to stabilize multiple rock faces in Bute Inlet north of Quadra Island on Vancouver Island. Controlled blasting techniques (trim blasting) were used to remove the rocks from the high angle slopes. Rock scaling is done by removing material that presents a hazard for rockfalls near highways, civil projects, open pit mines/quarries, trails and railways. 24042 charges were used to blast loose material with minimal to no fly rock in a controlled drill and shoot fashion.
Which GeoBreak Products Were Recommended
Nxburst 180 gram and 240 gram charges were recommended to blast away the loose rock on high angle slopes.
Expected Outcome
The expected outcome of using Nxburst was to remove the loose material minimizing environmental effects to stabilize the unstable slopes.
Actual Outcome
The material was blasted to remove the slope hazard with reduced flyrock.
Final Thoughts From The Project Contractors
Nxburst’s 1.4S Classification makes the transportation and storage simple with less red tape when providing drilling and scaling services in remote areas. With the same classification as small arms ammunition we were able to transport Nxburst on the ferry to Bute Inlet. No powder truck required as Nxburst can be delivered by standard freight couriers. No magazine is required to store Nxburst as well making a locked day box lined with plywood suitable for storage which makes far easier when having projects in isolated and limited accessible areas. The reduced velocity of Nxburst provides a controlled technique while trim blasting without over blasting and creating consistent results. Scaling work already poses a hazard with loose material so using a low-explosive mitigates these concerns. Nxburst charges are already manufactured primed meaning the cartridges are a sealed unit not requiring to separate blasting caps and cartridge explosives while rock scaling and providing rope access work.
